Netrows vs Clay: Which B2B Data Platform is Right for You? (2026)

Overview: Netrows vs Clay

Both Netrows and Clay help businesses enrich B2B data, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Clay is a no-code platform with a spreadsheet-like interface designed for sales and marketing teams. Netrows is a developer-first API platform built for engineers who need real-time data in their applications.

Think of it this way: Clay is like Airtable meets data enrichment. Netrows is like Stripe meets LinkedIn data. Different tools for different users.

Quick Comparison Table

Netrows: Developer-First API Platform

What Netrows Does Best

• Real-Time Data: Every API call fetches current data from LinkedIn, not a stale database
• Comprehensive Coverage: 48+ LinkedIn endpoints, 26 X endpoints, plus Crunchbase, Glassdoor, Reddit
• Profile Monitoring: Track profiles and companies for changes with webhook notifications
• Developer Experience: Clean REST API, OpenAPI spec, code examples in 7 languages
• Transparent Pricing: Simple credit-based model, no hidden fees, no per-seat pricing

Best For

• Developers building data enrichment into their applications
• SaaS companies needing real-time profile data
• Teams that want API-first infrastructure
• Companies monitoring competitors or tracking job changes
• Startups that need flexible monthly subscriptions

Limitations

• No visual interface for non-technical users
• Requires development work to integrate
• No built-in AI research assistant
• No workflow automation UI

Clay: No-Code Data Platform

What Clay Does Best

• No-Code Interface: Spreadsheet-like UI that sales teams can use without developers
• Workflow Automation: Build multi-step enrichment workflows visually
• AI Research: Claygent can research companies and write personalized outreach
• Integrations: Connects to 50+ data providers and tools
• Templates: Pre-built workflows for common use cases

Best For

• Sales and marketing teams without developers
• Companies that need workflow automation
• Teams doing manual research and outreach
• Organizations that want AI-powered personalization
• Users comfortable with spreadsheet interfaces

Limitations

• More expensive ($149/month minimum vs €49/month)
• Data freshness varies by integration
• Limited API access (platform-first, not API-first)
• Per-seat pricing gets expensive for teams
• No X (Twitter) data
• No profile monitoring features

Pricing Comparison

Netrows Pricing

Clay Pricing

Cost Analysis

For 10,000 enrichments per month:

• Netrows: €49/month (Starter plan)
• Clay: $349/month (Explorer plan)
• Difference: Clay costs 7x more for the same volume

However, Clay includes workflow automation and AI features that Netrows doesn't have. If you need those features and don't have developers, Clay's higher price may be justified.

Data Quality & Freshness

Netrows

Every API call fetches real-time data directly from LinkedIn. If someone updated their profile 5 minutes ago, you'll see that change. This is critical for time-sensitive use cases like tracking job changes or monitoring competitor hiring.

Clay

Clay aggregates data from multiple providers. Some integrations provide real-time data, others use databases that may be weeks or months old. Data freshness depends on which integration you're using. For example, Apollo.io data in Clay comes from Apollo's database, not live LinkedIn.

Use Case Scenarios

Integration & Developer Experience

Netrows

• Clean REST API with OpenAPI specification
• Code examples in Python, Node.js, Go, Ruby, PHP, cURL, JavaScript
• Webhook support for real-time notifications
• MCP Server for AI assistant integration
• Attio CRM native integration
• Comprehensive API documentation with interactive playground

Clay

• 50+ pre-built integrations (Salesforce, HubSpot, Apollo, etc.)
• Zapier and Make.com connections
• HTTP API for custom integrations
• Webhook triggers for automation
• CSV import/export
• Limited API documentation (platform-first approach)

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Netrows If:

• You have developers on your team
• You need real-time, fresh data
• You're building data enrichment into your product
• You want to monitor profiles or companies for changes
• You need X (Twitter) data in addition to LinkedIn
• Budget is a primary concern
• You prefer API-first infrastructure

Choose Clay If:

• You don't have developers available
• You need workflow automation and AI features
• Your team prefers spreadsheet interfaces
• You want pre-built templates and integrations
• You need to move fast without technical dependencies
• Budget is less of a concern than speed to value

Can You Use Both?

Yes! Some companies use Netrows for their product/API needs and Clay for sales team workflows. They serve different purposes and can complement each other.